-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A white tiger mauled a zookeeper to death at a New Zealand wildlife park Wednesday as a group of tourists watched in horror , police say .

The zookeeper at Zion Wildlife Gardens in New Zealand could not be saved by other staff .

The attack took place at the Zion Wildlife Gardens near Whangarei , about three hours north of Auckland .

Two zookeepers had gone in to clean an enclosure at the park , when one of two white tigers inside lunged at a keeper , said Sarah Kennett , spokeswoman for Northland Police .

The second keeper and other zoo staff tried to pull the tiger off the man but failed . He died shortly after , Kennett said .

The tiger was put down , the park said . Watch park officials , visitors react ''

A group of eight tourists who were on a guided tour of the park witnessed the Wednesday morning attack , Kennett said .

`` This is an incredibly sad day , '' the park said in a statement , adding that it would provide counseling to its employees .

The Zion Wildlife Gardens is home to several endangered tigers and lions . It is best known in New Zealand as the setting for the popular television series `` Lion Man . ''

In February , an employee needed surgery after he was attacked by a white tiger , according to local media reports .

Last year , the country 's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry released documents to CNN affiliate TVNZ that said animals at the park were kept in crowded , unsanitary conditions .

Inspectors were so concerned about the conditions that they considered having 40 cats put down , the documents said .

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White tiger mauls a zookeeper to death at a New Zealand wildlife park

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Attack happened in front of group of tourists

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Another keeper and zoo staff tried to pull the tiger off the man but failed